An education revolution?

Published: Sunday, August 31, 2014 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, August 30, 2014 at 11:19 p.m.

The sounds of education revolution reverberated throughout Florida last week.

The School Board in Lee County voted to “opt out” of all statewide standardized tests.

Will this work? Probably not. State and federal funding hangs in the balance, and no school district can live without that money.

Sure enough, a few days later, one board member signaled a change of heart.

Still, at least for a few days, talk graduated to action. As Gary Fineout from the Associated Press tweeted: “After 15 years of complaints by Democrats/teacher unions it took a school board in a GOP-dominated county to start a mini-revolution.”

Earlier that same day, Gov. Rick Scott dumped some tea into Boston Harbor. He asked the feds to ease up on testing rules for Florida students who are learning English, and then threatened legal action if Washington D.C. doesn't relent.

Will this work? Probably not. Again, funding.

Is it political grandstanding? This is an election year, so that could be part of Scott's motivation.

This revolutionary spirit has bypassed Marion County, where the biggest news last week was the School Board backtracking.

A 3-2 majority wanted to spend $1.8 million to fully restore art and music faculties at elementary schools. But one of the three, Angie Boynton, changed her mind. The plan is dead.

The only hope now rests with the public. There is a 1 mill school tax on the Nov. 4 ballot, and residents will vote it up or down.

If the tax passes, there will be money to restore art and music — and physical education teachers and librarians, as well.

If the tax fails, the budget picture will continue as is.

The governing system worked the way it's supposed to. But it's still dispiriting to see aggressive action being taken elsewhere while our School Board plays small ball.

Nothing wrong with small ball, but it should be only part of the game, not the full strategy. (In fairness, board member Nancy Stacy has mentioned the testing opt-out movement.)

The biggest idea to emerge from our School Board in recent times was a four-day school week. Revolution? More like devolution.

Ron Crawford has served four terms on the School Board. When asked why voters should grant him a fifth, he pointed to his leadership and systemic knowledge. The graduation and dropout rates have improved under his watch. He helped bring MTI into existence. And he looked forward to helping the transition to electronic textbooks.

There is much to admire in all that. Still, as one wag put it, Crawford's platform was a far cry from Kennedy's push to put a man on the moon. Crawford got 42 percent of the vote Tuesday night and lost his re-election bid to a political newcomer.

The week ended with the School Board agreeing to give each teacher an extra $100 worth of supplies.

A few hours later, the Engage in Education group issued its long-awaited report and kicked off its campaign. Revolution isn't on the agenda, but perhaps something revolutionary can happen all the same.

Contact Jim Ross at 671-6412 or jim.ross@ocala.com. Follow him on Twitter @jimross96.

<p>The sounds of education revolution reverberated throughout Florida last week.</p><p>The School Board in Lee County voted to “opt out” of all statewide standardized tests.</p><p>Will this work? Probably not. State and federal funding hangs in the balance, and no school district can live without that money.</p><p>Sure enough, a few days later, one board member signaled a change of heart.</p><p>Still, at least for a few days, talk graduated to action. As Gary Fineout from the Associated Press tweeted: “After 15 years of complaints by Democrats/teacher unions it took a school board in a GOP-dominated county to start a mini-revolution.”</p><p>Earlier that same day, Gov. Rick Scott dumped some tea into Boston Harbor. He asked the feds to ease up on testing rules for Florida students who are learning English, and then threatened legal action if Washington D.C. doesn't relent.</p><p>Will this work? Probably not. Again, funding.</p><p>Is it political grandstanding? This is an election year, so that could be part of Scott's motivation.</p><p>This revolutionary spirit has bypassed Marion County, where the biggest news last week was the School Board backtracking.</p><p>A 3-2 majority wanted to spend $1.8 million to fully restore art and music faculties at elementary schools. But one of the three, Angie Boynton, changed her mind. The plan is dead.</p><p>The only hope now rests with the public. There is a 1 mill school tax on the Nov. 4 ballot, and residents will vote it up or down.</p><p>If the tax passes, there will be money to restore art and music — and physical education teachers and librarians, as well.</p><p>If the tax fails, the budget picture will continue as is.</p><p>The governing system worked the way it's supposed to. But it's still dispiriting to see aggressive action being taken elsewhere while our School Board plays small ball.</p><p>Nothing wrong with small ball, but it should be only part of the game, not the full strategy. (In fairness, board member Nancy Stacy has mentioned the testing opt-out movement.)</p><p>The biggest idea to emerge from our School Board in recent times was a four-day school week. Revolution? More like devolution.</p><p>Ron Crawford has served four terms on the School Board. When asked why voters should grant him a fifth, he pointed to his leadership and systemic knowledge. The graduation and dropout rates have improved under his watch. He helped bring MTI into existence. And he looked forward to helping the transition to electronic textbooks.</p><p>There is much to admire in all that. Still, as one wag put it, Crawford's platform was a far cry from Kennedy's push to put a man on the moon. Crawford got 42 percent of the vote Tuesday night and lost his re-election bid to a political newcomer.</p><p>The week ended with the School Board agreeing to give each teacher an extra $100 worth of supplies.</p><p>A few hours later, the Engage in Education group issued its long-awaited report and kicked off its campaign. Revolution isn't on the agenda, but perhaps something revolutionary can happen all the same.</p><p><i>Contact Jim Ross at 671-6412 or jim.ross@ocala.com. Follow him on Twitter @jimross96.</i></p>